Electrical apparatus



y 4, 1956 J. SZELES 2,756,294

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Filed April 27, 1954 2 Sheets-Shoe! 1 i 18 I 35 3 6 3a /7 I a I 48 50 INVENTOR.

y 4, 1956 J. SZELES 2,756,294

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Filed April 27, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. (7019599 5254 6 W QW United States Patent 9 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Joseph Szeles, Detroit, Mich.

Application April 27, 1954, Serial No. 425,965

3 Claims. (Cl. Mill-51.02)

This invention relates to electrical apparatus generally, and particularly to a type of self controlled outlet fixture.

Many electrical fixtures and appliances used extensively in the home have inadequate control or switch facilities. An appropriate illustration is the ordinary table or bed lamp, which customarily has the control switch beyond convenient reach of the user.

Cognizant of this situation, the applicant has, as the primary object of his invention, the provision of an electric outlet fixture having a self-contained control switch.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electric fixture, of the type previously described, which is adapted for convenient attachment to a fixed support.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an electric fixture, of the type previously described, which is extremely compact and relatively inexpensive to produce.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become increasingly apparent after thorough consideration of a detailed discussion composed with reference to the accompanying drawings, constituting a portion of this application, and in which:

Figure l is an elevation view of the electric fixture, constituting the applicants invention, showing the size and shape of the housing.

Figure 2 is a plan view taken substantially on plane 2--2 in Figure l, with the cover removed, showing structural details of the fixture and connection of the various electrical components.

Figure 3 is a section view taken substantially on plane 33 in Figure 2, with the wiring removed, showing the relative size of the various structural and electrical components.

Figure 4 is a .section view taken substantially on plane 4-4 in Figure '2 showing the corner seats in the housing for supporting the insulator cover.

Figure 5 is an elevation view taken substantially on plane 55 in Figure 2 showing one of the two electric outlets in the fixture.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing, in a simplified manner, the circuits connecting the various electric components.

For a detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the drawings in which numeral 10 designates a housing, of plastic or other suitable insulating material, having therein a longitudinally disposed rib 12 provided with two openings such as 14 therethrough for the reception of mounting screws 16. A fiber retaining washer 17 is provided on each of the mounting screws 16.

A pair of spaced rectangular openings 18 are provided in each end of the housing 10 for the reception of a standard two element appliance plug, not here shown. A seat 20 is provided in each corner of the housing 10 for supporting a flush cover 22 of fiber or similar insulating material. A pair of centrally disposed spaced bosses 24 are provided in the housing 10. Two oppositely disposed electrical elements 26 and 28, of copper or other suitable conductive material, are mounted on the bosses 24 by pins 30, or other acceptable means.

2,756,294 Patented July 24, 1956 Binder screws 32 and 34 are threaded in the electric elements 26 and 28 respectively. 'Iwo resilient extensions, such as 36, are provided on each of the electrical elements 26 and 28, and disposed in substantial alignment with the rectangular openings 18 in thehousing 10. An inwardly disposed tip 38 is provided on the free end of each extension 36 so as to facilitate the insertion of an electrical connector, not here shown. A guide rib 40 is provided in the housing 10 adjacent each of the rectangular openings 18. A push button line switch 42, or other suitable control, is mounted in the housing 10 and detachably secured therein by a nut 44.

An opening 48 is provided in the housing 10 for the reception of an extension cord 50. An insulating baffle 46 is formed in the housing 10 substantially opposite the opening 48. A standard plug 52 is attached to the free end of the extension cord 50 to provide for convenient connection to a source of electrical potential 54. One of the conductors from the extension cord 50 is connected to the binder screw 34 on the electrical element 28. The second conductor from the extension cord 50 is connected through the line switch 42 to the binder screw 32 on the electrical element 26.

The above discussion completes the detailed description of the structure characterizing the preferred embodiment of the applicants invention; however, to insure a more thorough understanding and appreciation of the subject matter herein disclosed, a brief discussion will be directed to the manner in which the invention is used.

In use, the applicants fixture is mounted on an end table, night stand, or any other convenient item of furniture, not here shown. A lamp, radio, television or other electrical appliance may then be plugged into the open ings 18 of the applicants fixture. In this way the user may control the appliance from the fixture without the necessity of manipulating the appliance switch which is usually inaccessible and beyond convenient reach.

Based upon the foregoing discussion, the applicant is of the opinion that his invention has fulfilled a long felt need in the field of electrical apparatus and equipment, and has accordingly made a valuable contribution to the related art. However, while the invention was described with reference to the details of a single embodiment, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the principles involved are susceptible of numerous other practical applications.

Therefore, I claim as new, and wish to secure by Letters Patent:

1. An electrical fixture comprising an insulator housing, one or more slots on each side of the longitudinal axis of the housing, a first electrical conductor in the housing having a separate resilient element associated with each of the slots on one side of the longitudinal axis, a second electrical conductor in the housing having a separate resilient element associated with the slots on the other side of the longitudinal axis, a switch on the housing and a two wire extension cord carried by the housing having one wire connected to the first electrical conductor and the other such wire connected through the switch to the second electrical conductor.

2. An electrical fixture comprising an insulator housing, a pair of slots in each end of the housing, a first electrical conductor in the housing having a separate resilient element associated with one slot in each end of the housing, a second electrical conductor in the housing having a separate resilient element associated with the other slot in each end of the housing, a switch on the housing and a two wire extension cord carried by the housing having one wire connected to the first electrical conductor and the other such wire connected through the switch to the second electrical conductor.

3. An electrical fixture comprising an insulator housing having therein a longitudinal partition, an electrical outlet in each end of the housing having a pair of spaced slots, an electrical conductor on one side of the partition haying a separate resilient. element associated. with a slot in. each of e. electrical; outlets, an electrical conductor on the other side of the partition having a. separate resilient element associated with the other slot in, each. of the outlets,

a switch on the housing and a two wire extension cord: carried by the housing having one'wire connected to one of the electrical conductors and the other such wire connected through the switch to the other electrical conductor.

References Cited in the file of this atent UNITED STATES PATENTS Rohrer Feb. 9, 1892 Martinez June 15, 1920 De Reamer Aug. 24, 1926 De Reamer May 8, 1928 Scofield May 15, 1928 Friedman Nov. 22, 1938 Grohsgal Feb. 25, 1941 Adams etal Sept. 16, 1952 

